Mother Daughter Guidelines

FLORIDA CONFERENCE
THE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
COMMITTEE ON NEW CHURCH DEVELOPMENT
GUIDELINES FOR LAUNCHING A NEW UNITED METHODIST CONGREGATION
MOTHER/DAUGHTER
Standing Rule: "THE CONFERENCE COMMITTEE ON NEW CHURCH
DEVELOPMENT … shall have the following responsibilities for:
¶a. Approving all District plans for launching new congregations including
mission congregations. Chapter 4, Section III, ¶ 412.4a . . . (and)
¶c. Developing new methods for starting new communities of faith.
Standing Rules: Chapter 4, Section III, ¶ 406.4c, 2005 Journal p. 249.
Before a new congregation, mission or community of faith is launched in the Florida Annual Conference,
an application must be submitted to the Conference Committee on New Church Development on the form
provided. It is strongly recommended that a substantial majority of the following guidelines be satisfied.
To the extent not satisfied, the District shall submit its explanation.
The primary purpose of these guidelines is to communicate to the District Committees on New Church
Development and others, those principles of new church development which will guide the Conference
Committee on New Church Development as it decides whether to approve a new daughter CD Manual -
Mother-Daughter Guidelines launch.
The Mother/Daughter model is envisioned for use where an established church wishes to start a new
congregation using its staff and members. The daughter congregation will be started with the intent of
chartering when it becomes financially and programmatically independent.
I. BENCHMARKS
A. Vision/Mission Statement
The host church will submit a preliminary Vision and Mission Statement to the Conference Office
of New Church Development and to the District Committee on New Church Development within 3
months from date of appointment. (Appendix 1)
A final Shared Vision and Mission Statement will be submitted to the Conference Office of New
Church Development and to the District Committee on New Church Development within 6 months
from date of appointment. (Appendix 2)
B. Plans to be Submitted
Plans for the following ministry areas will be submitted to the Conference Office of New Church
Development and to the District Committee on New Church Development within the time noted:
1. Evangelism – within 4 months of appointment (Appendix 3)
2. Discipleship – within 6 months of appointment (Appendix 4)
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3. Nurture – within 6 months of appointment (Appendix 4)
4. Mission (Outreach) Plan – within 6 months of appointment (Appendix 4)
It is understood that planning for these areas will be ongoing and overlap each other from the
beginning of the appointment until they are submitted. Submission dates are to assist the mother
church and the District Committee on New Church Development in monitoring progress of the
start.
C. Small Groups
Prior to launch (first public worship), there shall be a minimum of 12 small groups with a total
small group average attendance of 140. The make up the small groups should be sufficient to
handle the activities of the launch and the follow-up activities. [See Appendix 18 (Grid for
launch).]
D. Worship Attendance
After the official first service, attendance data for weeks 2, 3, 4, and 5 will be submitted to the
District Committee on New Church Development and the Office of New Church Development.
These figures will be used to determine goals for attendance growth for the first three years
(Appendix 19) and budget projections (Appendix 7) for the first five years.
Year 1 – Avg. times 1.25
Year 2 – Avg. times 1.56
Year 3 – Avg. times 1.95
E. New Congregation Support Goals
The mother congregation and the daughter mission will be expected to bring in offerings (as a
percentage of operating budget) at or above those noted on the following timeline. The host church
and the District Committee on New Church Development can submit an alternative timeline for
achieving 100% support by the local congregation to the Office of New Church Development
which will then become the benchmark goals for that church start.
Timeline
Appointment 1 2 3 4
├──────────┼──────────┼──────────┼──────────┤
Host/new site support: 0% 50% 75% 100%
Other Support: 100% 50% 25% 0%
F. Natural Church Development Survey
Natural Church Development Survey will be completed 12 months after the first public service.
Contact the Office of Congregational Transformation for the procedure for taking the survey and
the costs. The survey results will be reviewed with a coach from the Office of Congregational
Transformation and a plan will be submitted to address the minimum factor identified in the
survey.
G. Church Multiplication
The expectation is that every full-time church will start a new full-time church within seven years
from the first worship service. The following timeline will be used to identify the demographic
area and plan for the new start.
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Launch date 1 yr 2 yr 3 yr 4 yr
├──────────┼──────────┼──────────┼──────────┤
Vision casting Identify Prepare and
Potential submit
Areas for preliminary
New start plan for start
II. DISTRICT/HOST CHURCH RESPONSIBILITIES AND OVERSIGHT
A. Housing
The mother church, in conjunction with The District Committee on New Church Development,
will decide whether to provide a parsonage or a housing allowance. If a housing allowance is
provided, then the amount will be approved by the appropriate committee for establishing housing
allowances. If a parsonage is provided, the parsonage shall conform to the Conference standards
and shall be available upon arrival of the pastor. The pastor’s home shall be located within the
ministry target area. Any exceptions to this location standard must be approved by the District
Committee on Church Development and the Executive Director of New Church Development.
B. Program/Ministry
The mother church shall propose the annual budget. The District Committee on New Church
Development shall review and approve the budget for each of the first five years. See Appendix 7
for Sample Pro Forma Budget.
C. Staff
The mother church will act as the Staff Parish Relations Committee in regard to hiring/firing of
staff, annual reviews and other items required of the Staff Parish Relations Committee by The
Book of Discipline.
D. Finances
The mother church will be the interface for all financial institutions (i.e. banking, loans, credit
cards, etc.). This will include approval of all accounts and loans for the new church start.
E. Contracts/Legal Documents
The mother church will approve and execute all contracts.
F. Land/Building
The mother church will be responsible for land and building issues in cooperation with the new
church start.
G. Delegation of Responsibilities
With the exception of executing documents and approving budgets, finance functions and trustee
functions may be delegated to groups within the daughter church as they are able to perform these
functions. Additionally, responsibility interviewing candidates for positions in the new church may
be delegated.
H. Spiritual and Emotional Support
The District Committee on New Church Development and the mother church shall also ensure that
the daughter church pastor has spiritual and emotional support in place for both pastor and family.
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This may include covenant/accountability groups, spiritual directors, counseling, day off, vacation,
welcoming of family upon appointment and other items of support.
I. Accounting System
The mother church shall ensure that the daughter church shall have a chart of accounts and
accounting software in line with the Conference Standard. All church financial functions shall be
in accordance with the Conference Fiscal Responsibility and Management Polices for local
churches. (See Appendix 8)
III. FINANCES
A. Financial Plans
As part of the application, the mother church shall provide a 5-year financial plan which shall be
refined in consultation with the appointed pastor. Such plans shall set forth the expectation of
giving from the new congregation and the anticipated support from the District and Conference.
(See Appendix 7) Using this financial plan, the District should evaluate its financial resources to be
certain that it can financially support the start of a new church. In submitting an application for a
new church start, the District assumes the responsibility for underwriting all unfunded budgeted
expenditures.
B. Missional Giving
Each new church start is expected to give 10% of its offerings each month to mission projects
beyond itself. Participation in global mission is encouraged to be through the United Methodist
Church. The new church start would choose which missions/projects to support. This giving will
be reported on the monthly progress report (Appendix 9)
C. Financial Support
Possible sources of funding for a launched church include:
1. Contributions from the members of the new congregation
2. Pledged support from other District churches
3. Builder's Club (or its equivalent) of the District
4. District Committee on New Church Development resources
5. Pastoral Compensation Funds from Conference Committee on New Church Development
1st year – 43% of DAC (salary & housing), health insurance and pension
2nd year – 28% of DAC (salary & housing), health insurance and pension
3rd year – 13% of DAC (salary & housing), health insurance and pension
6. Contributions from the mother church
After eighteen months from the appointment, a review of the new start’s progress will be made by
the District Superintendent, the District Committee on New Church Development, the Office of
New Church Development, the mother church, the daughter church, and the new start pastor. If at
this evaluation it is determined that sufficient progress is not being made by the new start, then
conference funding will end at the conclusion of that fiscal or conference year, depending upon
when a pastoral change will occur.
D. District Support
District financial support of the new church start will be based upon the contextual situation of
each new church start. Based on the five year financial plan, the District should evaluate its
financial resources, to be certain that it is in a position to give the necessary financial support to
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assist in the launch of a new congregation. The cost to the district will be largely determined by
the funding option chosen by the mother church. Depending on circumstances, the mother church
should plan to wean the daughter congregation from all support at the earliest possible date,
preferably no later than the end of the third calendar year after the launch. However, the mother
church shall not transfer financial obligations (i.e. land and parsonage mortgages, etc) to the
daughter congregation at the expense of ministry.
IV. REPORTING (ACCOUNTABLILITY)
A. Monthly Progress Report
The new church start will submit the monthly report (Appendix 9) to the District Superintendent,
Office of New Church Development, the mother church pastor, and the Chair of the District
Committee on New Church Development via email by the 15th of the month for the preceding
month. If the monthly report is not submitted by the 15th, then the subsequent month’s conference
support will not be sent until the report is received.
The monthly report measures first time visitors, weekly attendance, number of small groups,
attendance of small groups, total giving, average attendee giving, and missional giving. This report
begins the month after the initiation of small group meetings.
B. Financial
The mother church will provide the District Superintendent, the chair of the District Committee on
New Church Development and the Office of New Church Development by the 15th of each month
the Balance Sheet and Income and Expense Reports.
C. Quarterly Progress Review
The new site pastor will report quarterly progress at the regularly scheduled District Committee on
New Church Development meeting. The report will describe progress in the ministry of
Evangelism, Discipleship, Nurture and Mission; pastor presence in the target area; budget and
administrative issues; and planned future events.
V. STAFF
A. Adding Staff
The addition of staff should be carefully approached in the light of the overall strategic plan; timing
of developing ministry area of evangelism, discipleship, nurture, and ministry; budgetary
considerations; and the pastor’s strengths and weaknesses. Well-thought out position descriptions
must be provided to the local church Staff/Parish Relations Committee, prior to searching for or
hiring staff. The issues of benefits, part-time moving to full-time with increasing responsibilities
and employer fiscal responsibilities should be carefully considered.
B. Part-Time/Occasional Staff
Part-time or occasional staffs who work for short periods on a weekly basis or on an as required
basis are subject to FICA and Medicare and must be reported as employees and not sub-
contractors.
VI. LAUNCHING ( FIRST WORSHIP SERVICE)
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A Prayer Intercessors
Prayer intercessors need to be solicited and in place before the new pastor arrives. This is the
responsibility of the mother church. The pastor will add to the already established list of
intercessors.
B. Ministry Area Profile
A careful study of the primary area to be served by the new church must be made to identify the
most advantageous methods of evangelism. A MAP (Ministry Area Profile) study of a five to seven
mile radius of the center of the target area must be ordered from Percept. This can be done on-line
(www.Link2Lead.com). It is critical to identify the families who will be the "prime movers" of the
new church. This report must be copied and attached to the application.
C. Marketing Plan
A plan to market the new church start shall be in place. Each new start may consider using direct
mail for the launch Sunday event. The Conference Office of New Church Development will
provide information during training which occurs within the first six-months.
D. Attendance Expectations
There should be every reason to be confident that there will be at least 225 adult attendees of the
new church within three years from the date of the launch and enough attendees for the
congregation to be financially self-supporting in three years. In most instances, the immediate
service area should have an expectancy of continued growth for the next ten years.
E. Meeting Place
Unless previously arranged, one of the first tasks of the newly appointed pastor shall be to locate
the initial meeting place for the church. A lease or other secure understanding concerning such
location for at least one year should be obtained.
F. Small Groups
Each new start will establish small groups as a means of providing discipleship training for all
members and attendees. This will greatly enhance the infrastructure and outreach of the new
church.
Prior to launch, there shall be a minimum of 12 small groups with a total small group average
attendance of 140. The makeup of the small groups should be sufficient to handle the activities of
the launch and the follow-up activities.
G. Other United Methodist Churches
Nearby United Methodist Churches should be consulted in planning for the new site and should
lend their enthusiastic support.
H. Launch Approval
Application to launch must be made to and approved by the District Committee on New Church
Development and the Conference Office of New Church Development at least sixty (60) days in
advance of the anticipated launch date. See “Application to Launch” form at Appendix 10.
I. Plans Approved and Leadership Team in Place
The Evangelism, Discipleship, Nurture and Ministry plans need to be in place and leadership
determined as outlined in the plans. The critical roles (Appendix 11) and critical ministries
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(Appendix 11) shall be identified and staffed.
J. Attendance Expectations for Launch Sunday
The goal for launch Sunday is 300. All plans should be carefully taken to do as much as possible
to assure this goal is met.
VII. HOUSING
A. Parsonage/Housing Allowance
The mother church will decide whether to provide a parsonage or a housing allowance. If a
parsonage is to be provided, the host church will initiate the purchase of a parsonage that conforms
to the Conference standards and have it available upon arrival of the pastor. If a housing allowance
is provided, the amount will be approved by the appropriate district committee for establishing
housing allowances.
B. Location
The parsonage – whether a provided parsonage or an housing allowance – shall be located within
the ministry target area. Any exceptions to this location standard must be approved by the District
Committee on New Church Development and the Executive Director of New Church
Development.
VIII. LAND ISSUES
A. Location
In most instances a new church site should be at least five miles from an existing United Methodist
Church. The only time this criterion is to be disregarded is when there is a natural barrier dividing
the community or the other United Methodist Churches in the area are not prepared to serve a new,
growing, and/or changing area.
B. Population
The mother church must secure current demographic information regarding present and future
population in order to justify and support the establishment of a new congregation. A resource for
this demographic information is the Conference New Church Development office.
C. Minimum Requirements
1. Size: Strongly recommended is a minimum of ten buildable acres.
2. Local Comprehensive Plan Compatibility: A review of the master land use plan for the area
should suggest a positive long range future of the site with respect to adjacent zoning, adequacy
of roads, and proximity of local public schools. (Appendix 19)
3. Site Evaluation Worksheet: The daughter church shall complete the Site Evaluation Worksheet
before land is purchased. (Appendix 12)
D. Tax Exemption Application
The district committee should apply to the county tax collector’s office for regulations regarding
this property being placed on the tax exempt rolls. Follow-through on this item is crucial so the
district does not pay property taxes on this site.
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IX. PASTOR ROLE/TRAINING
A. Pastor Selection
The person secured as the new site pastor is critical to the success of the new congregation and,
therefore, should possess qualified skills to guide the new congregation into mission and ministry.
The District Committee, the District Superintendent/Lead Pastor and the Executive Director of
New Church Development should consult closely regarding this appointment.
B. Training
Once a new start pastor is appointed, additional training will be provided under the direction of the
Office of New Church Development. The new pastor is required to attend this training.
C. Orientation
Orientation for appointed new start pastors will be held following appointment of all pastors.
Attendance at the orientation will be by the appointed new start pastor, the District Superintendent,
and the chair or representative of the District Committee on New Church Development.
X. COACHING
A. Expectation
Every new church start pastor will be expected to be coached by a trained and certified coach. The
coach will have received training in coaching new start pastors.
B. Length of time
The relationship of the pastor and the coach will be expected to last at least for the first two years
of the start. The expense of this relationship will be part of the budget of the new start. It may
continue after the initial period upon agreement by both parties, or by request of the conference or
district committee on new church development. The cost for this additional period of time will be
assumed by the new start budget.
C. Assignment
The assignment of the coach will be made by the executive director of new church development in
conjunction with the district superintendent.
XI. APPLICATION PROCESS
A. Justification for New Church Start
The following question must be answered, “Why does this community (target area) need a new
church?” (Application)
B. Ministry Area Profile (Percept)
A Ministry Area Profile for the target area will be provided by the mother church and reviewed by
the Conference Committee on New Church Development.
C. Financial Plan
A ProForma financial plan will be developed for the anticipated expenses to launch the new
congregation (Appendix 7). The plan will include anticipated funds from the Conference, District,
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mother church and the daughter church.
D. Application
An application to start a daughter church must be completed by the mother church and submitted to
the District Committee on New Church Development and the Conference Committee on New
Church Development.
XII. CHARTERING
When a daughter church decides to charter, the following shall be completed:
A. Prerequisites to Chartering
1. Presentation to District Committee on New Church Development: A presentation shall be made
to the District committee addressing the areas of ministry (evangelism, discipleship, nurture and
mission.) This should include how it is organized, people participating, successes and future goals
and other pertinent information. The presentation should also include the church’s vision for the
next five years which should include birthing a new congregation. This request shall also be
submitted to the Office of New Church Development.
2. Finances: The new congregation will demonstrate for the twelve month period prior to the
anticipated chartering date that it is financially independent and able to meet all financial
obligations including existing mortgages, loans, and anticipated apportionments. This should also
be part of the presentation listed in #1 above.
3. Transfer of Indebted Obligations: A timetable for transferring any indebtedness obligation from
the mother church to the daughter church shall be set as agreed upon by the lending institution,
vendors, the mother church, the daughter church, the District Committee on New Church
Development and the Office of New Church Development.
4. Application: The “Application for Chartering a New Congregation” shall be submitted 60 days
in advance of expected chartering Sunday. (Appendix 13)
B. Incorporation
Upon the church being constituted on "Charter Sunday", it should immediately pursue becoming
incorporated under Florida law, as a Florida Corporation Not-For-Profit. Appropriate information
concerning incorporation is available in Appendix 14. At the time of incorporation, application
should be made for a federal tax identification number (Appendix 15), along with a Florida sales
tax exemption number (Appendix 16). A copy of the blanket 501(c) (3) Internal Revenue Service
determination letter concerning tax exemption and religious status is available in the appendix (17).
C. Apportionments
Payment of Apportionments will begin on the second January after chartering. Expenses used to
determine apportionments will be prorated based on the number of months remaining in the year of
charter. (Example - If a church charters in June, the expenses used to calculate the apportionment
amount will be 6/12 of the actual expenses.)
D. Monitoring
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The newly chartered church will continue to submit the monthly progress reports to the District
Committee on New Church Development and the Conference Office of New Church Development
for a period of five years after date of charter.
RESOURCES
Healthy churches and the District Committee on New Church Development are the initiators of new
churches, with active support and guidance by its District Superintendent and local churches in the area.
The Conference lends active support through the Conference Committee on New Church Development and
Office of New Church Development. The Executive Director of New Church Development is the chief
contact person and can be reached at (800) 282-8011 ext. 147 or (863) 688-5563 ext. 147.
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Appendix
1. Preliminary Vision and Mission Statements due date____________(3 months from date of
appointment)
2. Final Vision and Mission Statements due date ___________ (6 months from date of
appointment)
3. Evangelism Plans due date______________(4 months from date of appointment)
4. Discipleship, Nurture, Mission Plans due date____________(6 months from date of
appointment)
5. Grid Launch (due 3 months before launch)
6. Attendance Projections (due 1 week after 5th Sunday of Public Worship)
7. Pro Forma 5 year budgets due date________________
8. Conference Fiscal Responsibility and Management Policies
9. Monthly Progress Report due 15th of each month – when small groups begin meeting
10. Application to Launch (First Public Worship) due date ____________(60 days before launch)
11. Site Evaluation Worksheet (due 2 months before closing)
12. Application to Charter (due 3 months before charter Sunday)
13. Incorporation Sample
14. Federal Tax Identification Application
15. Application for Florida State Sales Tax-Exemption
16. UMC Tax Exemption Status letter by IRS
17. Local Comprehensive Plan Compatibility due with application
18. Launch Guidelines
a) Parachute (traditional)
b) Multi-Site Guidelines
c) Daughter Guidelines
19. 18 Month Progress Review
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